Lucky 15 Tips: Cheltenham-time? Too Buddy right!

I don't really want to look anywhere other than Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, for Friday's Lucky 15 tips. Racedays at the home of jumping are very special, and I'd like to add my twopence-worth as the November meeting gets underway. First race is at 13:10.

Lots of water to pass under many a bridge until March, and the big one, but let's remind ourselves how special this place is. Close your eyes and recall Arkle, or perhaps Constitution Hill, bounding up the run-in. Insert your own favourite from the countless hundreds to have graced the place. It's just magic.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

13:10 - Plaisir Des Flos @ 9/2

A trappy opener, for conditional jockeys on staying handicap hurdlers.

I've plumped for Plaisir Des Flos, who has won his last five starts and is progressive, for trainer Fergal O'Brien. Jockey Jack Hogan, who knows the horse well, is in the plate.

Three weeks ago he took a Carlisle heat (similar stiff uphill finish) narrowly from a Skelton favourite, and in career-best fashion. That was off a mark of 111, and he's up to 118 today.

The winning run began back in March off 82, so you can see the massive amount of improvement the five-year-old Joshua Tree gelding has made. He looks well worth his place in this, and we're paying five places each-way, if you fancy a separate little tickle.

13:45 - Buddy One @ 11/4

Irish raider, seven-year-old gelding, and the best of these over hurdles.

Fences of course today though, and Buddy One has just his third spin over the larger obstacles. Only four start, and if handling the whole Grade 1 track-and-fences experience I think he's got a tremendous chance.

Won on chase debut at Galway in October, before a less fluent effort at Wexford three weeks later. I'd be happier in a way if he was coming here straight from the winning introduction, but on the positive side the experience gained will doubtless be key.

Paul Gilligan trains, and son Jack rides. 'Buddy' won at this meeting over hurdles last season before running a blinder in the Stayers' at the Festival behind Teahupoo, beaten just over 8l. Fascinating little contest and one I can't wait to watch.

15:30 - Valgrand @ 6/4

Not hard to jump upon the Skelton bandwagon at any time, and this five-year-old gelding is presently in a very rich vein of form.

Career-best territory last time three weeks ago here for Valgrand, making a huge statement with an impressive win over around half a mile shorter.

He's got what might be a slightly fanciful entry into Newcastle's Fighting Fifth, and as for today, having been narrowly denied in his solitary point start over 3m, there's hopefully cause for optimism about the extra distance (he got nearly two-and-a-half readily enough at Bangor in May).

He seemed to find several extra gears on that seasonal reappearance here and I bet connections are excited to see just how far he can go in the sport (2m 5f will do nicely for starters). Brilliant race in prospect.

16:00 - Chutzpal @ 10/1

Time to side with a five-year-old gelding from the County Waterford yard of Henry de Bromhead - red-hot, and operating at a strike-rate of 32% in the past fortnight.

Chutzpal only joined Henry in the summer and he's fairly well-travelled, having had four previous handlers. He's won on the flat and over hurdles for new connections, and the steadier of 11st 12lb is an indication of his obvious ability.

Claimer Mike O'Connor reduces that burden at least by 3lb, and precisely no-one would be shocked to see this one running a big race for such a wonderful trainer.

Great news - it's another FIVE places each-way affair, too, if you're playing it separately.

This is an example of a Lucky 15. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can), then go for it!

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race-time. As a guide, a £0.50p Win Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £690 for your total £7.50 stake.

Fred, 'The Bonus King,' invented the 'Lucky' series of bets and their bonuses. My colleague Adam has set out all you need to know with this handy guide - take a look by clicking here.

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.